ED Questions Bihar IAS Officer Santosh Kumar Mall for 8 Hours Over Tender Probe, Seeks Details of ‘5 KG Mango’ Message
The Enforcement Directorate has questioned 1997-batch Bihar IAS officer Santosh Kumar Mall over alleged irregularities in government tenders awarded during his tenure in the Urban Development and Housing Department. Investigators also sought clarification about WhatsApp conversations, including a cryptic message reportedly reading “5 KG mango urgent”.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned senior Bihar IAS officer Santosh Kumar Mall (1997 batch, Bihar cadre) for nearly eight hours in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in government contracts awarded to contractor Rishu Shree and companies associated with him.
The questioning took place on Thursday and reportedly lasted from around 11:15 am to 7:30 pm. The agency focused on tenders approved during Mall’s tenure as Secretary of Bihar’s Urban Development and Housing Department, particularly those related to sewage treatment, drainage and solid waste management projects.
Mall, who currently serves as Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, was also questioned about certain WhatsApp conversations reportedly recovered during the investigation. One message that attracted particular attention allegedly read, “5 KG mango urgent”.
According to reports, Mall denied the WhatsApp conversation referred to during the questioning. The ED has not publicly clarified the context or established the meaning of the message.
ED Examines Tenders Approved During Santosh Kumar Mall’s Tenure
A significant part of the questioning reportedly revolved around the procedures followed in awarding contracts for urban infrastructure projects. ED officials sought explanations regarding how particular companies were selected for sewage treatment, drainage and solid waste management works.
Investigators also examined the tendering mechanism, approval procedures and the subsequent release of payments. The officer reportedly maintained that the contracts had been awarded in accordance with the prescribed rules and established government procedures.
The projects under the agency’s scanner include:
* Sewage treatment and infrastructure development
* Urban drainage and related construction works
* Solid waste management projects
The investigation centres on allegations that contractor Rishu Shree and companies linked to him secured government contracts by allegedly paying commissions to officials involved in the tendering process.
ED Investigates Alleged 5-7% Commission Payments
Investigators are reportedly examining evidence suggesting that commissions ranging from 5 to 7 per cent were allegedly paid in connection with sewage, drainage and solid waste management contracts.
According to the reports, these payments were allegedly made to secure government projects for Rishu Shree and companies associated with him. The ED’s investigation has extended to digital evidence, including mobile phones, WhatsApp conversations and electronic documents reportedly recovered from the contractor.
These materials are being examined to establish the alleged financial transactions, identify possible beneficiaries and determine whether government officials received unlawful payments in exchange for awarding contracts.
The agency is also scrutinising the process through which tenders were approved and payments released, with particular attention to the roles played by officials at different stages of the decision-making process. However, the alleged commission payments and the involvement of individual officials remain subject to investigation and legal determination.
Senior IAS Officer Anand Kishore Also Summoned by ED
The investigation is also drawing attention to other senior bureaucrats who were associated with the departments and administrative processes under scrutiny.According to reports, 1996-batch Bihar-cadre IAS officer Anand Kishore was scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Friday for questioning.
His appearance is expected to form part of the agency’s wider investigation into the alleged tender irregularities and the role of officials involved in awarding contracts and processing payments.
The ED is examining the administrative and financial trail to establish whether there were irregularities in the award of government projects and whether any public officials benefited from the alleged arrangement.
Investigation Continues Into Bihar Tender Irregularities
The questioning of Santosh Kumar Mall and the proposed examination of Anand Kishore indicate that the ED is widening its scrutiny of the alleged irregularities involving urban infrastructure contracts in Bihar.
The investigation is focused not only on the contractors and companies that received the projects but also on the administrative approvals, financial transactions and communication records connected with the tendering process.
While the reported WhatsApp message referring to “5 KG mango” has attracted considerable attention, its significance will depend on the evidence and context established during the investigation.
No conclusion regarding the culpability of any individual should be drawn solely from the questioning or allegations. The matter remains under investigation, and any responsibility will have to be established through the appropriate legal process.
